Georgia and U.S. Government - Video Lecture Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering Georgia state government, U.S. government structure, constitutional provisions, and key concepts from the lecture notes.

How many seats are in the Georgia Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives, and what type of legislature does Georgia have?

Georgia has a bicameral legislature with the Senate 56 seats and the House of Representatives 180 seats.

What are the term limits for the Governor of Georgia?

The governor may serve up to 2 consecutive terms, each term being 4 years.

What is the residency requirement for the Georgia Governor before taking office?

Must be a resident of Georgia for 15 years prior to taking office.

What are the minimum ages for the Georgia House, Georgia Senate, and the Governor of Georgia?

House: 21 years old; Senate: 25 years old; Governor: 30 years old.

What is the process to amend the Georgia state Constitution?

Amendments require a 2/3 vote in both the Georgia House and Senate, followed by a majority vote of voters in a statewide election (even-numbered years).

How does impeachment work for Georgia state officials?

Impeachment is initiated by a majority in the Georgia House; removal requires a 2/3 vote in the Georgia Senate.

What fundamental rights are protected in the Georgia Constitution related to due process and equal protection?

Deprivation of life, liberty, or property requires due process; equal protection of the laws is guaranteed.

What right protects against deprivation of life, liberty, or property except by due process of law?

Due process of law.

What right guarantees equal protection under the laws in the Georgia Constitution?

Equal protection of the laws.

What right concerns the natural and inalienable freedom to worship God?

The natural and inalienable right to worship God.

What right guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, with responsibility for abuse of that liberty?

Freedom of speech and the press (with accountability for abuse).

What right protects the right to keep and bear arms?

The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

What is guaranteed regarding trial by jury in the Georgia Constitution?

The right to trial by jury shall remain inviolate.

What does the Georgia Constitution say about the writ of habeas corpus?

The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended.

What protections exist against self-incrimination in the Georgia Constitution?

No person shall be compelled to give testimony tending to self-incrimination.

What protections exist regarding arrest or imprisonment in the Georgia Constitution?

No person shall be abused in being arrested, while under arrest, or in prison.

What punishments are forbidden by the Georgia Constitution (banishment and whipping)?

Banishment beyond the state’s limits and whipping are not allowed as punishment for crime.

Is imprisonment for debt permitted under the Georgia Constitution?

There shall be no imprisonment for debt.

When may a person be required to pay costs in criminal cases according to the Georgia Constitution?

Costs may be required after conviction on final trial.

What does the Georgia Constitution say about the separate property of spouses?

The separate property of each spouse remains the separate property of that spouse unless otherwise provided by law.

What is the residency requirement for the Georgia Governor before taking office?

15 years as a resident of Georgia.

What are the minimum ages for the Georgia House, Georgia Senate, and Governor?

House: 21; Senate: 25; Governor: 30.

What is the process to amend the Georgia state Constitution?

2/3 vote in both the House and Senate, followed by statewide voter approval in an even-numbered year.

How is impeachment processed for Georgia state officials?

House approves impeachment by a majority; Senate must vote 2/3 to remove.

How did events preceding the American Revolution influence the Constitution?

British rule and self-government ideas encouraged democracy; Bill of Rights aimed to protect individual freedoms from government; abuses of power under Britain influenced the constitutional framework.

How did weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation shape our current government?

Failures showed the need for a stronger central government, leading to the drafting of a new Constitution and the Philadelphia Convention; required ratification by ¾ of the states.

What compromises were made during the Constitutional Convention?

Three-fifths compromise; creation of a bicameral legislature; establishment of the Electoral College.

What is the Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause) and how does it affect federal power?

The Elastic Clause allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers; it contributed to broader federal power and is connected to the Rational Basis Test in constitutional interpretation.

How many seats are in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives?

Senate: 100 seats; House of Representatives: 435 seats.

How long are the terms for the House, Senate, Presidency, and Supreme Court?

House: 2-year terms; Senate: 6-year terms; Presidency: 4-year terms; Supreme Court: life terms.

What are the basic qualifications for the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. Presidency?

House: at least 25 years old; Senate: at least 30; Presidency: at least 35 and a natural-born citizen.

Which body has the power to impeach a U.S. government official?

The House of Representatives.

Which body has the power to remove a government official and what vote is required?

The Senate; removal requires a 2/3 vote after impeachment by the House.

Who presides over impeachment trials in the U.S. system?

The Chief Justice presides over impeachment trials of the President.

Which body ratifies treaties and what vote is required?

The Senate ratifies treaties, requiring a 2/3 vote.

Which body confirms executive officials and judges?

The Senate, by a majority vote.

What vote is required to pass a federal bill in Congress?

A simple majority in both the House and the Senate.

What votes are needed to ratify a treaty and to override a presidential veto?

Treaty: 2/3 in the Senate; Override veto: 2/3 in Senate and a majority in the House.

What is the process to amend the U.S. Constitution?

2/3 of both the House and Senate must vote to propose an amendment, and ¾ of the states (state legislatures or conventions) must ratify.

What powers are listed for Congress in Article I, Section 8?

Examples include: lay and collect taxes; coin money; raise a standing army; regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

What limitations does Article I, Section 9 place on Congress?

Cannot favor any state economically; habeas corpus protections are noted in the section.

What are some constitutional powers of the President?

Execute laws; command the military; negotiate treaties; veto legislation; appoint judges.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

Federal laws are superior to state laws; establishes a hierarchy of laws.

What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

All public acts and judicial records of one state must be honored in other states; contracts across states are recognized.